Kid Galahad

During the emergence of the Hollywood boom, the industry saw an outpouring of B-pictures related to heroes, damsels, and everything in between. A popular genre often visited was that which followed the plight of a wrestler or boxer, a then-innovative thematic prototype which paved the way for movies like "Raging Bull" and the "Rocky" franchise to revolutionize these archetypal stories.

An early entry of the boxing genre was called "Kid Galahad," starring Edward G. Robinson, Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart, directed by Michael Curtiz of "Casablanca" fame (one of his 50 films completed during the 1930s, a remarkable work output rivaled by few filmmakers at the time). Twenty-five years later, the film was remade into a musical romance starring Elvis Presley, as the singer boomed on both stage and screen during this period.

The story is simple and familiar, but with songs. Elvis stars as a singing boxer, managed by crabby promoter (Gig Young) and mentored by a good-natured trainer (Charles Bronson). There's a love interest (Joan Blackman) and a fair amount of songs (the up-tempo "I Got Lucky" is a highlight). Like its source material, the picture is B-grade, slightly derivative and admittedly forgettable, but it's a passing glance at film history that collectors and cinephiles may be remiss to pass up.

1962's remake of "Kid Galahad" is now available in a new Blu-ray from Twilight Time Movies, with an isolated sound and music track included in the bonus features, as well as a theatrical trailer.